Porepunkah shooting: Two officers dead and another wounded after shooting at High Country property, Victoria, Australia

[MrJ]

Suspect has two children. Not sure if they said they were in the bush with him though?

 

[SouthAussie]

Suspect heavily armed and dangerous - will not go into any further details about him right now.

Police officers were met by offender and murdered. Suspect was heavily armed and disappeared into the bush. On his own. They are still looking for his partner and two children. Police trying to understand where they are/were.

(from presser)

 

[MrJ]

So does this mean suspect isn’t holding family hostage?

 

[SouthAussie]

A risk assessment was done. The fact that 10 officers attended this morning goes to show the gravity of the situation.

(from the presser)

 

[SouthAussie]

So does this mean suspect isn’t holding family hostage?

"We have no information to suggest whether he is with or without them."

‘Dangerous’ suspect who allegedly killed two officers escaped into bush alone and is believed to be ‘heavily armed’ – as it happened

This blog has now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[drsleuth]

So does this mean suspect isn’t holding family hostage?

I don't think they know. In the presser, said he was seen going into the bush on his own, I think?

 

[SouthAussie]

ABC News:-

“ warrant relating to historical sex offences at about 10.30am this morning.”



Daily Telegraph:-

“Freeman is prohibited from having firearms and it is understood the warrant on Tuesday morning related to that order.”


EDIT…..
This horrific incident is already on Wikipedia - and it states that both matters listed above are the reason for the warrant.


On 26 August 2025 at approximately 10.30 am, ten Victoria Police officers attended a property near Porepunkah, a rural town 320 km (199 mi) northeast of Melbourne, to execute a warrant against a person as part of a firearms prohibition order in relation to historical sex offences.

Porepunkah police shootings - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

"Chief Commissioner Bush would not disclose the reason behind the raid at the suspect's property." (from the presser)

He did say that he had talked with Qld Police Commissioner. He did say that sending 10 officers this morning shows the gravity of the situation. But he won't go into detail. Said something about it will no doubt all come to light soon.

Manhunt continues in Victoria for suspected identified gunman as two officers killed — as it happened

Local communities have been asked to stay indoors and follow police advice as the search for the gunman continues into the night.

www.abc.net.au

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I hope Freeman will not be a free man for too much longer.

 

[3llecia]

The Commissioner (at the point in time) insists the location of the wife and children are undetermined. The other seven attending police officers at the fatal incident are being debriefed.

At this stage, it seems the police are not willing to discuss the wife and children.

The Commissioner resisted on a question about whether the wife could be an accomplice. He instead reiterated the point that the suspect (which media have named but the Commissioner has not in tonight’s media call) was witnessed by attending police to leave on foot, into the bush alone.

 

[Marg944]

https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/police-officer-shot-two-unaccounted-for-after-incident-in-victoria/news-story/f86aa60d804d0b31c42c89232d9625b4

 

[Kemug]

I hope Freeman will not be a free man for too much longer.

I wonder if he gave that name to himself.

 

[3llecia]

Here’s a link to a summary judgment in the Supreme Court of Victoria. DF requesting a judicial review after being convicted for driving offences and losing his licence.

 

[drsleuth]

Pseudolaw is high theatre, but no laughing matter for the courts

The Australian legal system is grappling with a disruptive new movement that is not only tying up the courts and police, but also threatening our democracy.

unisa.edu.au

25 August 2025


The Australian legal system is grappling with a disruptive new movement that is not only tying up the courts, councils and police, but also posing an unprecedented threat to democracy.


In a new paper published in the Alternative Law Journal, UniSA Associate Professor of Law Joe McIntyre documents the rapid rise of pseudolaw – false legal theories that mimic the language and rituals of the law but without any real substance.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Family missing.
I'm not liking the sound of that.

 

[Lemony]

I wonder if he gave that name to himself.

Sounds like it...

"Dezi Bird Freeman - who changed his name from Desmond Filby - allegedly opened fire with a shotgun when police arrived at a remote property near Porepunkah in the Victorian High Country on Tuesday morning."

Unmasked: The suspected Porepunkah sovereign citizen gunman

Dezi Bird Freeman - who changed his name from Desmond Filby - allegedly opened fire with a shotgun when police arrived at a remote property near Porepunkah in the Victorian High Country.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[MrJ]

Family missing.
I'm not liking the sound of that.

not good at all

 

[SouthAussie]

Finally, Bush says police are likely to provide an image of the suspect “imminently” ....

‘Dangerous’ suspect who allegedly killed two officers escaped into bush alone and is believed to be ‘heavily armed’ – as it happened

This blog has now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[SouthAussie]

Family missing.
I'm not liking the sound of that.

I think that it is possible they have a hideout somewhere. I wouldn't be surprised if the partner and two children follow his (nutty) philosophies.


When asked about whether the gunman knew police were coming and had planned an ambush, he could not comment.

"It would be wrong for me to speculate on that," Chief Commissioner Bush said.

Manhunt continues in Victoria for suspected identified gunman as two officers killed — as it happened

Local communities have been asked to stay indoors and follow police advice as the search for the gunman continues into the night.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Klclevi]

If he survives the night out there he would have to have some decent clothing on and even thats a long stretch. He can't light a fire obviously, he would have no supplies, with the rain that is supposed to come he will really be exposed to the elements - turning to sleet.
It is common for that area to be in the minuses during winter ( rain coming a little milder but still absolutely freezing cold)
There are wild dogs, deer, you name it. I do not discount he might have a hideout or some kind of sheltered thing, but still , its not long term on the run. No way.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Yes it is very likely they are hiding out waiting for him.

I'm now thinking that maybe he did know what was coming and decided to go out in what he thinks is "a blaze of glory"

If so I would not be surprised if he "took care" of his wife and children first.

If you know what I mean